Everyone knows that American cars come in all shapes and sizes. But to most people, American motorcycles come in only one form, the Harley-Davidson cruiser. What a great sound. But this seems to leave patriotic bikers who want something a bit more sporting out in the cold. At least it would, if not for a small, Wisconsin-based company called Buell. Their motorcycles are as American as apple pie, but are not so much cruisers, as cruise missiles.

When most riders first encounter the Buell S1 White Lightning, they think it’s something radically new. But in reality, it’s only the latest of a long line of Harley-Davidson-powered sport machines that former Harley Engine: er, Erik Buell, has been building since 1987.